Research trial designed to highlight pros/cons of spur and cane pruning
By CnAgri
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“In table grape, a special attention should be given to the quality of grapes produced under the two systems to determine the most suitable pruning methods for you,” El-Kereamy says. “Your choice of pruning systems is critical for optimizing grape yield and quality. Depending on the pruning method you select, you could end up with a vigorously-growing canopy that shades the basal buds, causing necrosis of the buds and preventing them from growing the next season. On the other hand, if your pruning system doesn’t leave enough growing buds on the cane, the canopy growth may not be enough to support the clusters and prevent sunburn of the grapes and loss of color and quality.”
This season, El-Kereamy is measuring vegetative growth of the varieties under each pruning system. During the coming winter he will weigh the pruned wood from each plot as another indication of the impact of pruning system on vine vigor.
For each of the next two years, El-Kereamy will continue to assess vegetative growth, In addition, he will determine bud fruitfulness by counting the number of clusters produced and the number of buds left on the vine after pruning. At harvest, he’ll compare the two pruning systems in terms of yield and fruit quality.
“After completing the study, we will be able to show growers the advantages and disadvantage of spur and cane pruning for each of these two varieties,” El-Kereamy says.
